The members of the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly (R-TNLA) and Council of States were finally inaugurated on Tuesday, August 2.

The overdue ceremony marked another milestone in the revitalised peace implementation process following the formation of the Cabinet and gubernatorial positions.

The swearing-in of close to 600 MPs means that South Sudan now has the biggest parliament in Africa.  However, over 40 MPs missed the ceremony with no known reasons for their absence.

The oath which ushered in  Jemma Nunu Kumba from the SPLM as the first female speaker in the history of South Sudan’s independence was presided by Chief Justice Chan Madut.

Nathaniel Oyet was also sworn in as the first deputy speaker representing SPLM-IO as well as Deng Deng Akol as the Speaker of Council State. Awerial Akol became the second deputy Speaker.

“I appeal to every honourable member to promote peace. I urge you to critically execute unity and internalise your mission of peace, reconciliation, and forgiveness as conditions of providing services to our suffering people -let us be sincere,” said Daniel Awet Akot, the former presidential advisor for military affairs, who was also nominated to the parliament.

Call for unity

Addressing the first sitting session of the parliament, Ms Kumba called on MPs to unite irrespective of political affiliation and regional background for the common good of South Sudan and the citizens.

“The challenges ahead of us are enormous. To control and over those challenges, the situation demands that we, as representatives of our people, should look beyond political partisan and tribalism and focus keenly on the common good of all,” said Ms Kumba.

The speaker promised to execute her role in a transparent and patriotic manner, to ensure development in South Sudan.